Ticket envelope

ABSTRACT

In a ticket envelope having a front panel, a rear panel folded over the front panel and a bottom flap secured to the rear panel to form a ticket-receiving pocket, an upper flap is detachably secured to the front panel along a perforated line and is foldable in overlying relation to the front panel. The upper flap functions as a boarding pass and assures retention of the ticket in the pocket.

limits tates atent n91 Qowan [4 1 ay 22, 1973 54 THCKET ENVELOPE 3,086,694 4/1963 Tucker et ill ..229/68 R 1,353,286 9/l920 Sowers ..283/23 [75] Inventor. fiaold L. (Iowan, williamsvrlle, 1,436'885 1/1922 Leary 229/70 730,933 6/1903 Lawson ....229/74 [73] Assignee: Franklin-Cowan Paper Co, Inc, 2,840,295 6/1958 Fromm ..229/70 Buffalo, NY. I Primary Examiner-Samuel B. Rothberg [22] 1971 Assistant ExaminerStephen P. Garbe [21] Appl. No.: 104,901 AttrneyChristel & Bean 52 vs. C] ..229/68 R, 206/39, 229/70, [571 ABSTRACT 283/23 In a ticket envelope having a front panel, a rear panel Clfolded over the front panel and a bottom flap ecured Fleld of Search 329/74, 70, 731 68 to the rear panel to form a ticket-receiving pocket, an 283/23; 206/DIG- 40-5, 29 upper flap is detachably secured to the front panel along a perforated line and is foldable in overlying [56] References Cited relation to the front panel. The upper flap functions as UNITED STATES PATENTS a boarding pass and assures retention of the ticket in the pocket. 3,343,749 9/1967 Probst ..22 /72 1,728,509 9/ 1929 Rahe 206/DIG. 29 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures T 3 22 76' PM 1 l I I LN 56 I s 36 Q ll lll 1- TICKET ENVELOPE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to envelopes and, more particularly, to ticket for receiving and retaining travel tickets, baggage claim checks, boarding passes, and the like.

It is a common practice in the purchase of travel tickets, such as airline tickets for example, for the ticket agent to deliver the tickets to the purchaser in an envelope, and when the users baggage is checked at the terminal, the baggage claim checks often are tucked in a common pocket along with the travel tickets, or stapled or otherwise fastened to the ticket envelop. In some instances, a separate boarding pass, bearing flight information, also is issued to the purchaser to admit him aboard the proper aircraft. This boarding pass is in the form of a thin sheet and often is placed in the envelope pocket along with the travel ticket. Withdrawing either the travel ticket or the boarding pass from the common pocket interferes with the other and one may be inadvertently misplaced from the pocket. Efforts to avoid this by stapling or otherwise fastening the boarding pass to the ticket envelope are inconvenient and time consuming to both the ticket agent and the user when he has occasion to refer to or surrender the boarding pass. If the boarding pass is carried separate from the ticket envelope it is apt to be misplaced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful ticket envelope having a boarding pass formed integral therewith and detachably joined to one of the panels thereof.

It is a further object of this invention to provide the foregoing in a ticket envelope which is inexpensive and simple in construction and which can be made with existing machinery.

In one aspect thereof, the ticket envelope of the present invention is characterized by the provision of adetachable boarding pass flap formed integral with one of the panels of the envelope and secured thereto along a scored or perforated line to prevent misplacement thereof. The boarding pass bears information on either or both of its faces and can be folded out of the way between panels of the envelope and against the ticket to more securely retain the same within the pocket of the envelope. If required to be surrendered, the boarding pass can be detached by simply tearing the same along the perforated line.

The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing features of the present invention will become clearly apparent from the ensuing detailed description of an illustrative embodiment thereof, taken together with the accompanying drawing wherein like reference characters denote like parts throughout the various views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a ticket envelope of the present invention, shown with the flap constituting the boarding pass and the closure panel in opened positions;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank form from which the envelope of FIG. 1 is formed, the blank being shown prior to folding; and

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken about on line 3-3 of FIG. 1 but with the ticket omitted for greater clarity and ease in illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Referring now in detail to the drawing, there is shown a ticket envelope constructed in accordance with the present invention, generally designated 10 (FIG. 1) formed from a unitary blank, generally designated 12 (FIG. 2). Blank 12 is die cut or otherwise formed from any suitable paper stock and comprises a front panel 14, a rear panel 16, a closure panel 18, a lower flap 20 and an upper flap 22. Panels 14 and 18 are substantially equal in width and panel 16 is slightly narrower to facilitate folding thereof into the closed position shown in FIG. 1. These panels and flaps have inner faces identified by reference numerals 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32, respectively (FIG. 2).

Front panel 14 is generally rectangular in plan and is joined to rear panel 16 along a fold line 34 defining one side edge thereof. Rear panel 16 has a bottom edge slightly raised or offset from the bottom edge of panel 14, a relatively short opposite side edge 36 extending from the bottom edge in substantial parallelism with fold line 34 and a top edge 38 inclined upwardly (as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2) at an angle from side edge 36 to fold line 34, intersecting the latter slightly above the midpoint thereof. It should be understood that panel 16 can be made longer with the inclined top edge 38 thereof raised to intersect fold line 34 anywhere along the length thereof, if desired. Rear panel 16 is adapted to be bent along fold line 34 in overlying relation to the lower portion of front panel 14 with inner faces 24 and 26 in facing relation.

Flap 20 extends substantially the entire width of front panel 14 and is joined thereto along a fold line 40 extending at generally a right angle to fold line 34. A strip of adhesive 42 is applied to inner face 30 of flap 20 and extends generally parallel to fold line 40 across flap 20. Flap 20 is adapted to be folded along fold line'40 into overlying relation with the bottom portion of the outer face of rear panel 16 when the latter has been folded against panel 14, and to be secured thereto by adhesive 42 to form a pocket for receiving and retaining tickets therein. If desired, however, flap 20 can be folded along fold line 40 into an underlying relation with the inner face of rear panel 16 when the latter has been folded against panel 14. Of course with such an arrangement, adhesive 42 would be applied to the outer face of flap 20. The mouth or inlet of such pocket is locatedalong edges 36 and 38 of rear panel 16 in its folded position.

Closure panel 18 generally corresponds in shape and size to front panel 14 and is joined thereto along a fold line 44 defining the opposite side edge of panel 14 and generally parallel to fold line 34. Closure panel 18 is adapted to be bent along fold line 44 into a closed position overlying the pocket formed between front panel 14 and rear panel 16. v

A significant feature of this invention is the provision of upper flap 22 which constitutes a boarding pass having pertinent indicia printed on its face 32. Alternatively, such indicia can be printed on the opposite face of flap 22, or it can be printed on both faces, as desired, and it will be appreciated that whereas only the words Boarding Pass" appear on the drawing, in practice there will be appropriate indicia such as Flight No., Gate No., Seat No., Departs at, for example. Flap 22 is slightly narrower than front panel 14 so as not to interfere with folding of closure panel 18, and is joined to panel 14 along a scored or perforated line 54 extending at generally a right angle to fold line 44. Flap 22 has relatively short, parallel, opposite side edges 56 v and 58 extending generally at a right angle to perforated line 54. Side edges 56 and 58 terminate in a top edge 60 extending generally normal to side edges 56 and 58 and in substantial parallelism with perforated line 54. it should be understood, however, that flap 22 can be made of any length desired and can take any shape. For example, edges 56 and 58 can be slightly inclined upwardly toward each other in a converging relation as viewed in FIG. 2, if desired.

Flap 22 can be left upstanding for viewing without opening envelope or it can be folded about perforated line 54 in overlying relation to panel 14 and against the ticket. When folded over the ticket, the boarding pass flap 22 assists in keeping such ticket secure within the pocket formed by panels 14 and 16. in those instances where the boarding pass must be surrendered, it can be readily detached from panel 14 by simply tearing the same along perforated line 54.

in forming envelope 10, blank 12 is first folded along line 34 to bring face 26 of rear panel 16 into face-toface relation with face 24 of front panel 14, and bottom flap 20 is then bent inwardly along fold line 40 into overlying relation with the bottom portion of the outer face of rear panel 16 and secured thereto along adhesive line 38, thereby forming a pocket for receiving a ticket, such as an airline travel ticket identified by reference numeral 60' in FIG. 1.

Flap 22, which constitutes the boarding pass, initially is not folded. After inserting the ticket in the pocket, flap 22 can be folded along perforated line 54in overlying relation against the ticket to assist in retaining the latter in the pocket formed by panels 14 and 15. Closure panel 18 can then be folded along line 44 to a closed position overlying the pocket and flap 22 to safely retain the ticket and the boarding pass therein.

From the foregoing, it isapparent that the objects of the present invention have been fully accomplished. An improved ticket envelope is provided having a boarding pass flap formed integral with the front panel of the envelope to preclude misplacement of the pass. The flap can beleft projecting from the envelope, or it can be folded out of the way within the envelope and against the ticket to assist in retaining the ticket in place. If desired, the flap can be readily removed by simply tearing the same along its perforated line of folding. While the detachable flap of the envelope of this invention has been described and illustrated as a boarding pass conveniently used with envelopes for travel tickets and the like, it should be understood that it is not necessarily restricted to such use.

A preferred embodiment of this invention having been disclosed in detail, it is to be understood that this has been done by way of illustration only.

1 claim:

1. An envelope comprising: a first panel having an inner face, a second panel joined to said first panel along one side thereof and having an inner face in facing relation to said inner face of said first panel, said second panel having a width generally corresponding to the width of said first panel, a flap closing the space between said first and second panels adjacent one end thereof to form a pocket between said panels, said flap being joined to said one end of one of said first and second panels and secured to the other thereof in overlapped relation thereto, a separable flap formed integral with said first panel and joined to the opposite end thereof, said separable flap being foldable into a position overlying at least a portion of said first panel to assist in retaining articles within said pocket, a closure panel joined to said first panel along the other side thereof and foldable along said other side into a closed position overlying said pocket and said separable flap, said closure panel generally corresponding in shape and size to said first panel, and said separable flap being detachable from said envelope and being slightly narrower than said first panel so as not to interfere with the closing of the envelope, said separable flap having boarding pass indicia thereon and joined to said first panel along a perforated fold line to facilitate detachment of said flap from said first panel.

2. An envelope comprising: a first panel having an inner face, a second panel joined to said first panel along one side thereof and having an inner face in facing relation to said inner face of said first panel, said second panel having a width generally corresponding to the width of said first panel, a flap closing the space between said first and second panels adjacent one end thereof to form a pocket between said panels, said flap being joined to said one end of one of said first and second panels and secured to the other thereof in overlapped relation thereto, a separable flap formed integral with said first panel and joined to the opposite end thereof, said separable flap being folded into a position overlying at least a portion of said first panel to assist in retaining articles within said pocket, a closure panel joined to said first panel along the other side thereof and folded along said other side into a closed position overlying said pocket and said separable flap, said separable flap having indicia thereon and joined tosaid first panel along a perforated fold line to facilitate detachment of said flap from said first panel.

3. An envelope according to claim 2 wherein said closing flap is joined to said one end of said first panel and secured to said second panel in overlying relation thereto.

4. An envelope according to claim 2 wherein said second panel extends along one side of said first panel from adjacent said one end thereof and terminating short of the opposite end thereof in an edge extending substantially across the width of said first panel in spaced relation to the free end of said separable flap when folded into said overlying position.

5. An envelope comprising: a first panel having an inner face, a second panel joined to said first panel along one side thereof and having an inner face in facing relation to said inner face of said first panel, said second panel having a width generally corresponding to the width of said first panel, a flap closing the space between said first and second panels adjacent one end thereof to form a pocket between said panels, said flap being joined to said one end of one of said first and second panels and secured to the other thereof in overlapped relation thereto, a separable flap formed integral with said first panel and joined to the opposite end thereof, said separable flap being folded into a position overlying at least a portion of said first panel to assist able from said envelope and having opposite sides intersecting said opposite end of said first panel at spaced points inwardly of the opposite sides of said first panel so as not to interfere with the closing of the envelope. 

1. An envelope comprising: a first panel having an inner face, a second panel joined to said first panel along one side thereof and having an inner face in facing relation to said inner face of said first panel, said second panel having a width generally corresponding to the width of said first panel, a flap closing the space between said first and second panels adjacent one end thereof to form a pocket between said panels, said flap being joined to said one end of one of said first and second panels and secured to the other thereof in overlapped relation thereto, a separable flap formed integral with said first panel and joined to the opposite end thereof, said separable flap being foldable into a position overlying at least a portion of said first panel to assist in retaining articles within said pocket, a closure panel joined to said first panel along the other side thereof and foldable along said other side into a closed position overlying said pocket and said separable flap, said closure panel generally corresponding in shape and size to said first panel, and said separable flap being detachable from said envelope and being slightly narrower than said first panel so as not to interfere with the closing of the envelope, said separable flap having boarding pass indicia thereon and joined to said first panel along a perforated fold line to facilitate detachment of said flap from said first panel.
 2. An envelope comprising: a first panel having an inner face, a second panel joined to said first panel along one side thereof and having an inner face in facing relation to said inner face of said first panel, said second panel having a width generally corresponding to the width of said first panel, a flap closing the space between said first and second panels adjacent one end thereof to form a pocket between said panels, said flap being joined to said one end of one of said first and second panels and secured to the other thereof in overlapped relation thereto, a separable flap formed integral with said first panel and joined to the opposite end thereof, said separable flap being folded into a position overlying at least a portion of said first panel to assist in retaining articles within said pocket, a closure panel joined to said first panel along the other side thereof and folded along said other side into a closed position overlying said pocket and said separable flap, said separable flap having indicia thereon and joined to said first panel along a perforated fold line to facilitate detachment of said flap from said first panel.
 3. An envelope according to claim 2 wherein said closing flap is joined to said one end of said first panel and secured to said second panel in overlying relation thereto.
 4. An envelope according to claim 2 wherein said second panel extends along one side of said first panel from adjacent said one end thereof and terminating short of the opposite end thereof in an edge extending substantially across the width of said first panel in spaced relation to the free end of said separable flap when folded into said overlying position.
 5. An envelope comprising: a first panel having an inner face, a second panel joined to said first panel along one side thereof and having an inner face in facing relation to said inner face of said first panel, said second panel having a width generally corresponding to the width of said first panel, a flap closing the space between said first and second panels adjacent one end thereof to form a pocket between said panels, said flap being joined to said one end of one of said first and second panels and secured to the other thereof in overlapped relation thereto, a separable flap formed integral with said first panel and joined to the opposite end thereof, said separable flap being folded into a position overlying at least a portion of said first panel to assist in retaining articles within said pocket, a closure panel joined to said first panel along the other side thereof and folded along said other side into a closed position overlying said pocket and said separable flap, said closure panel generally corresponding in shape and size to said first panel, and said separable flap being detachable from said envelope and having opposite sides intersecting said opposite end of said first panel at spaced points inwardly of the opposite sides of said first panel so as not to interfere with the closing of the envelope. 